Dominick Cruz Out Indefinitely After Suffering ACL Injury
Dominick Cruz could quite possibly be the most unlucky man in mixed martial arts. After suffering multiple injuries that kept him out of competition for over three years, Cruz was forced to vacate his bantamweight title in early 2014. “The Dominator” was finally able to return at September’s UFC 178, triumphantly battering Takeya Mizugaki and scoring a quick first-round knockout win.
After proving he was still one of the best if not the best bantamweight on the planet by beating Mizugaki, the UFC had verbally granted Cruz the next shot at current champion TJ Dillashaw. However, it seems as if this fight may not be happening any time soon.
Cruz broke heartbreaking news today via his facebook page, revealing that he had suffered yet another acl injury, but this time to his opposite knee:
This is truly a devastating setback for a man who has already experienced so many in his career. Cruz looked great in his return, maybe even better than when he had left, but one has to wonder if his body will ever be able to stay healthy.
Fortunately for fans and the UFC, “The Dominator” claims that he will give everything he has to come back once again and heal up. However, he also has no timetable for a return and as of now is out indefinitely.
Cruz vs. Dillashaw for the title was sure to be a great bout and a highly anticipated one at that, but with Cruz’s latest injury, the bantamweight division is now in a limbo of sorts as far as who Dillashaw will defend his belt against next.
Cruz being injured could have left a wide open door for the surging Raphael Assuncao to get his long awaited title shot. Assuncao is currently riding a seven-fight win streak and undoubtedly deserves a shot, but ironically he has suffered some serious injuries as well putting him out of action until further notice:
I am devastated 2 inform that my title shot hopes will be even further delayed due 2 broken ankle suffered in training I am sorry once again
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 22, 2014
Former champion Renan Barao got back to the win column this past weekend (December 20, 2014) at UFC Fight Night 58, and is chomping at the bit to get revenge on Dillashaw, which may be the only possibility left at this point, unless Urijah Faber is willing to fight his teammate Dillashaw, which is unknown at this point.
As of now, what’s next for the division and for Cruz himself is unclear, but we here at LowKickMMA would like to wish Cruz the best in this heartbreaking time.
